2001 Ford Taurus SE - Oil Leaking

2001 FORD TAURUS
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JUMBOLAYA
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Hello, and thank you for a wonderful forum. I have a 2001 Ford Taurus with 160000 miles. While driving to work, at a stop light I noticed some smoke coming from under the hood. After pulling over and examining I noticed oil dripping onto the ground about once every 5 seconds from the right side (passanger side) of the engine. I couldn't see it properly, but it also looked like oil was dripping onto a metal Y-bar shaped part (also on right side) and this was causing the smoke.

To be properly informed before I take to a mechanic, could this be an oil pan gasket leak? Is that a DIY job ( I have a friend who actually has a lift in his home garage). Thank you in advance.
Dec 12, 2006 at 5:30 PM
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BACKYARDMECHANIC
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Unless you see where the oil is leaking from it could be coming from anywhere. The one piece of information that you give me that leads me to believe that the leak is coming from the top is that the car was smoking. This means the oil is leaking down onto the exhaust mainfold which would lead me to believe it is one of the valve cover gaskets leaking. Hope this helps.
Dec 12, 2006 at 5:44 PM
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JUMBOLAYA
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Thanks for the helpful reply. Any idea if thats a DIY job?
Dec 13, 2006 at 12:22 PM
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BRUCE HUNT
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If you narrow this down to a valve cover gasket, which is a good bet, it is a fairly easy project.
Dec 13, 2006 at 12:39 PM
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